Court Rules Usher's $700K Lawsuit Against Producer Can Proceed

A Fulton County court has ruled that Usher can move forward with his legal pursuit of $700,000 from a failed Atlanta restaurant venture. The ruling, issued on May 11, 2026, denies a motion by producer Bryan-Michael Cox and his business partners to dismiss the lawsuit Usher filed in November 2025. This decision allows the case to enter the discovery phase and potentially proceed to trial.

The lawsuit stems from plans for a restaurant called 'Homage ATL,' developed by Cox, songwriter Keith Thomas, and Charles Hughes. Usher claims they approached him in early 2024 to invest as a full partner. He declined but opted instead to lend $1.7 million to fund the purchase of a $6 million building in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood.

According to Usher's allegations, the real estate deal collapsed. While his attorney, Alcide Honoré, reportedly returned $1 million of the loan, $700,000 remains unreturned. Usher is now suing Cox, Thomas, Hughes, and Honoré for breach of contract, alleging Honoré admitted the funds were improperly spent.

Cox and Thomas argued for their dismissal, stating Honoré was solely responsible for loan processing. However, Judge Craig L. Schwall Sr. denied this, finding Usher's claims sufficient to proceed. Hughes has not yet responded. Honoré has countersued Usher for reputational damage, a claim the judge noted as potentially deficient but not dismissible at this stage.

Lawyers for Thomas have stated they respectfully disagree with the ruling, emphasizing that Judge Schwall highlighted Honoré's primary responsibility for the missing funds. Usher and the other defendants' legal representatives have not yet commented.